Exercise control system

ABSTRACT

An exercise measuring system in which a person&#39;&#39;s pulse rate while exercising is electronically detected and compared against a desired level. Pickup electrodes are strapped to the person&#39;&#39;s chest to pick up his pulse rate while he is exercising and this pulse rate is then fed to an electronic indicating device which compares it with a preset rate, or level. Deviations above or below this level are indicated by respective lights. Lights are also provided to respectively indicate when the user&#39;&#39;s pulse rate is maintained at the preset level and when the pulse rate has been maintained at the preset level for a predetermined length of time.

United States Patent [191 Burian et al.

[ EXERCISE CONTROL SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Paul D. Burian, Elmsford;Julius S.

Impellizzeri; Herbert Cohen, both of New York; Steven Hahn, EastHampton, L. 1., all of NY.

[73] Assignee: Exercycle Corporation, New York,

Feb. 21, 1973 (Under Rule 47) [21] Appl. No.: 334,266

Related US. Application Data [63] Substitute for Ser. No. 14,741, Feb.24, 1970, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 631,048, April14, 1967, abandoned.

[22] Filed:

[52] US. Cl 272/57 R, 128/205 T, 128/206 F,

[ Apr. 9, 1974 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,395,6988/1968 Morehouse 128/205 R Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Curtis, Morris & Safford ABSTRACT An exercise measuringsystem in which a persons pulse rate while exercising is electronicallydetected and compared against a desired level. Pickup electrodes arestrapped to the persons chest to pick up his pulse rate while he isexercising and this pulse rate is then fed to an electronic indicatingdevice which compares it with a preset rate, or level. Deviations aboveor below this level are indicated by respective lights. Lights are alsoprovided to respectively indicate when the users pulse rate ismaintained at the preset level and when the pulse rate has beenmaintained at the preset level for a predetermined length of time.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures EXERCISE CONTROL. SYSTEM This application isa substitute for US. Patent Application Ser. No. 14,741 filed Feb. 24,1970, a continuation of US. Patent Application Ser. No. 631,048 filedApr. 14, 1967, both of which are now abandoned.

This invention relates to a system for controlling the degree andduration of exercise of a person.

An object is to provide an exercising system including a machine, suchas an Exercycle brand machine, and an electronic measurer by which aperson can exert himself to any desired level as determined by a givenpulse rate during exercising.

A more specific object is to indicate when a predetermined length oftime a person exercises while his body sustains a given pulse rate haselapsed.

The present invention is suitable for use in evaluating and monitoringprogrammed exercise or conditioning regimes on the basis of pulse rateand not physical work loads. Thus a conditioned athlete may be able togive a higher work output than a person not used to exercise, and thepresent invention permits this to be taken into account. Duringexercising with the present system, a person is required to raise hispulse rate to a predetermined level and maintain this level for a prescribed period of time.

Direct indication of deviation from the persons predetermined desiredcardiac rate is provided by a panel light flashing synchronously withhis pulse. Negative or positive deviation of pulse rate from a pre-setlevel is indicated by two panel lights, marked low and highrespectively. When the desired rate is attained, a third light flashes.The latter is positioned in the center between the low" and high lightsand is marked desired. Thus, a decrease in pulse rate is indicated bythe flashing of the low" light, an increase in pulse rate is indicatedby the flashing of the high light, while the correct pulse rate isindicated by the flashing of the desired" light.

Before starting to exercise with the present system, a

person straps pickup electrodes to his chest in the vicinity of hisheart. These .in turn are connected to the electronic measurer. Then,starting with a relaxed pulse rate, he begins to exercise on the machinemore and more to raise his heart beat to a desired level. When this isattained the desired indicator light will flash, and continue to do sofor as long as the desired rate (within a small range of deviation) ismaintained. An elapsed time indicator, operating in conjunction with therate counting circuitry is provided to give a quantitative measure oftotal time of exercise at the desired level.

A better understanding of the invention together with a fullerappreciation of its many advantages will best be gained from thefollowing description given in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exercise measuring system embodying the invention;

FIG. 1A shows an enlarged detail of the pickup electrodes;

FIG. 2 is a logic diagram of the electronic measuring portion of thesystem; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuitry and timeindicator.

The exercise measuring system shown in FIG. 1 comprises an Exercyclebrand exerciser l2, and an electronic console 14. The person riding theexerciser has strapped to his chest an electrode pad 16, with three,spaced apart electrodes 18 in direct contact with his skin. Theseelectrodes arerespectively connected by a ground wire and two inputwires to the input 20 of the console.

The front panel of the console includes a calibrated knob 22 by which agiven pulse rate per minute (from 40 to 210 ppm) can be set. When thepersons pulse reaches this pre-set level, the desired light 24 on theconsole panel will start to flash. Below this level the low" light 26will indicate, and above the level, high light 28 will be turned on. Onthe panel to the right of the rate indicator lights is anothercalibrated knob 30 by which a given elapsed or running time at thedesired pulse level can be dialed into the console. While this time isrunning, a fourth light 32 shines steadily; when the set time is up,this light goes out. The console of the system is turned on or off by apanel knob 34. Finally, a dial knob 36 will set the circuit to measureelapsed time only when the desired" light is flashing, or alternativelywhen either the desired or high light is flashing.

FIG. 2 is a logic diagram of the electronic measurer showing insimplified form the various stages of the circuit. The first stagecomprises a pulse amplifier 40, which is driven by the low level signalsfrom the electrodes at input 20, and whose output of a much higher levelis applied to a Schmitt trigger stage 42. The latter provides constantamplitude pulses whose repetition rate is controlled by the rate ofpulses applied to input 20. The output of the Schmitt trigger is appliedto a next stage 44 comprising a bi-stable multivibrator, which generatesa square wave the frequency of which is one half that of the signalsfrom the Schmitt trigger.

The multivibrator stage applies its output to a frequency counter 46which generates a direct voltage proportional to the multivibratorfrequency. The counter is capable of producing a change in voltage foronly one pulse of a different'repetition rate in a pulse train.

The direct voltage produced by the frequency counter is, in effect,compared against a settable reference voltage; deviation on the low sideof the desired pulse rate results in the flashing of the low" indicatorlight 26, deviation on the high side results in lighting of the highlight 28, while approximate matching of the levels results in theflashing of the desired" light 24. To this end, the output of frequencycounter 46 in FIG. 2 is applied to a lamp pulser stage 48 which drives aselected one of the three indicator lights.

Connected to lamp pulser 48 is. a totalizer stage 50 which, while thedesired light is actuated, measures total elapsed time, the length oftime to be measured being settable by panel knob 30 previouslydescribed.

FIG. 3 shows the complete details of the circuitry shown in logic formin FIG. 2. For convenience, the various stages enumerated in FIG. 2 havebeen enclosed in dotted outlines and given corresponding referencenumerals in FIG. 3. Amplifier 40 in FIG. 3 has input 20 comprising thethree terminals 60, 61, and 62, which are connected to respective onesof electrodes 18. Terminals 60 and 62 connect to transistors 64 and 66which are differentially connected, and terminal6l is a neutral point,or ground, with respect to terminals 60 and 62. This arrangement allowsa balanced input and provides a degree of common mode rejection of noiseand unwanted signals. The output of transistors 64 and 66 is amplifiedby a transistor 68 and then by a transistor 70. Thus, a 2 millivoltsignal at terminals 60, 62 produces about a two volt signal at theoutput of transistor 70.

Schmitt trigger stage 42 includes a transistor 72 and a transistor 74.The former is biased to saturation while the latter is cut off. When anegative pulse from transistor 70 is applied to thebase of transistor72, it turns off and transistor 74 turns on and is clamped intosaturation for as long as transistor 72 is off. This produces at theoutput of transistor 74 a constant amplitude pulse whose width is thebase width of the pulse from amplifier stage 40.

The constant amplitude pulse from trigger stage 42 is differentiatedthrough a coupling capacitor 76 and the spikes are applied to a pair ofsteering diodes 78 and 79 in multivibrator stage 44. One or the other ofthese diodes conducts, depending upon which of the transistors 80 and 82is then conducting. Assuming that transistor 80 and diode 78 are at themoment conducting, a negative going spike of voltage from capacitor 76will turn off transistor 80, which in turn will cause transistor 82 toturn on. The next negative spike from capacitor 76 will turn offtransistor 82 and turn on transistor 80, and so on. Thus themultivibrator produces a square wave whose frequency is directlyproportional to one half the pulse rate from electrodes 18.

Frequency counter stage 46 includes two silicon controlled rectifiers(SCRs) 84 and 86 respectively connected to the outputs of multivibratortransistors 80 and 82. SCR 84, when triggered on, discharges a storagecapacitor 90; similarly SCR 86 is arranged to discharge an identicalstorage capacitor 92. These capacitors are charged through respectivediodes 94 and 96 from a constant current source including a transistor98.

Assume that in the multivibrator transistor 80 now goes off andtransistor 82 goes on. A positive pulse from transistor 82 will beapplied to the gate of SCR 86. This turns the latter on and dischargescapacitor 92. When the discharge current falls below the minimum holdon" current of SCR 86, it will then turn off. Capacitor 92 will nowbegin to charge through its diode 96 and in so doing will reverse biasdiode 94 (assuming a charge on capacitor 90 from the previous cycle)thereby stopping the charging of capacitor 90. Capacitor 92 will chargeaccording to the relation V TI C, where V is voltage, T is time, I iscurrent, and C is capacity. Both current and capacity are constant andso voltage is a linear function of time. In similar fashion, when SCR 84is turned on, capacitor 90 will be discharged and will stop the chargingof capacitor 92. The voltages on these two capacitors in theirnon-charging states are thus a linear function of the switching rate ofthe multivibrator. Connected in the constant current source in serieswith transistor 98 is an adjustable resistor 100, whose setting iscontrolled by the PPM knob 22 on the panel of the console. This settingalso controls the levels of the voltages on capacitors 90 and 92.

Capacitors 90 and 92 are connected to the base of a transistor 102 inlamp pulser stage 48 via respective ones of diodes 104 and 106 and aresistor 107. These diodes alternately sense the more positive of thevoltages on capacitors 90 and 92 and transfer this voltage to the baseof transistor 102, which is connected as an emitter-follower with a gainof unity. Connected to transistor 102 are transistors 110 and 112 whichare arranged as a differential pair connected as shown to a Zenerreference diode 114. When the voltage from counter stage 46 rises aboveor falls below a level determined by Zener diode 114, transistor 110 or112 will conduct.

Connected to transistor 110 is an amplifer transistor 116 which isconnected via a lead 118 to the gate of an SCR 120. The latter is inseries with its anode high indicator lamp 28. Similarly, transistor 112is connected to an amplifier transistor 122 which via lead 124 controlsan SCR 126. This has in series with itself low indicator lamp 26. Nextto SCR 126 is a third- SCR 128 which is in series with desired lamp 24.

The three indicator lamps are connected via a common lead 130 to theoutput of an SCR 132, whose gate is triggered by signals from themultivibrator. The anode of SCR 132 is supplied with DC pulsating atpower line frequency via lead 134 from the power supply 136. Thus,whichever indicator lamp is on flashes at the pulse rate output ofmultivibrator 44.

As mentioned previously SCRs 120 and 126 are respectively turned on bytransistors 116 and 122. The pulsating current from SCR 132automatically turns off the SCRs and allows them to be again turned onby their respective control transistors. SCR 128 is controlled via alead 138 from a transistor 140. The latter is allowed to turn on whenneither of SCRs 120 and 126 is being turned on. Thus desired lamp 24automatically lights when lamps 26 and 28 go out.

Whenever SCR 128 is turned on, an adjacent transistor 142 is also turnedon. This energizes a relay coil 144 which in turn closes a switch 146 inthe totalizer stage 50. Switch 146 is in series with a timing motor 148and another switch 150. The latter is controlled by a rotary cam 152driven by the motor and settable by panel knob 30. When switches 146 and150 are closed, motor 148 runs, and simultaneously running lamp 32 islighted. After a pre-set time, cam 152 opens switch 150 and stops themotor.

Elements of the circuit in FIG. 3 which have not been described indetail will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The abovedescription is intended in illustration and not in limitation of theinvention. Various changes in the embodiment set forth may occur tothose skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An exercise control system adapted for use with means for a person toexercise on, comprising, means for detecting his actual pulse, means forconverting the detected pulse rate to a first electrical signalproportional to said detected pulse rate, means for setting andproducing a reference electrical signal proportional to a single desiredpulse rate, and means for comparing said first electrical signal to saidreference signal and for indicating deviation on either the low side orthe high side of said desired pulse rate, said comparing and indicatingmeans having no connection to said exercising means.

2. An exercise control system as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconverting means produces a pulsating signal and includes wave formingand shaping means connected to the output of said detecting means forforming a pulsating square wave whose repetition rate is proportional tothe detected pulse rate and means for converting said square wave tosaid electrical signal, said signal comprising, a dc. voltageproportional to said detected pulse rate, said setting means beingadapted to produce a reference signal comprising a preset referencevoltage, said means to indicate deviation including two lampsoperatively connected to said comparing means for providing respectivelight signals proportional to the actual pulse rate, when said dc.voltage is lower than said reference voltage, and when it is higher thansaid reference voltage.

3. An exercise control system as defined in claim 2 wherein saidindicating means includes a third lamp adapted to produce a light signalwhen said dc voltage matches said reference voltage.

4. The exercise control system as defined in claim 2 in furthercombination with timing means operatively connected to said comparingand indicating means for actuation thereby when said do voltage matchessaid reference voltage, including means for indicating the terminationof a preselected time period during which said dc. voltage matches saidreference voltage.

5. An exercise control system of the character described including, anelectronic transducer to detect a persons pulse rate while exercisingand to provide a signal proportional to the pulse rate, said transducercomprising electrode means to sense a persons heart beat, wave formingmeans to convert the pulse so detected into a repetitive wave whoserepetition rate is determined by the frequency of said pulses, and meansto convert said repetitive wave into a variable d.c. voltage signal thelevel of which is proportional to said repetition rate, said systemfurther including comparing means, operatively connected to said meansto convert, for comparing said variable dc. voltage with a predeterminedvoltage value, and three switch means including desired," high, and lowcircuits which respectively control desired, high, and low indicators,said switch means being operatively connected to said comparing meansfor selective actuation in response to said comparing means inaccordance with whether a said voltage signal is above, below or equalto said predetermined voltage value.

6. The exercise control system in claim 5 wherein said wave formingmeans includes a Schmit't trigger fol lowed by a bystable multivibrator,and said switch means includes three switch SCRs and a fourth SCRoperatively connected with said first three which supplies them withpulsating direct voltage to automatically extinguish any SCR after it ison, said comparing means including means for actuating a particular oneof said switch SCRs depending on the ratios of the variable dc voltageproduced by said means to convert to said predetermined voltage value.

7. An exercise monitoring systemcomprising, an exercising machine onwhich a person can exercise at varying levels of exertion, means todetect his pulse rate, and electronic means to convert his pulse rateinto light signals proportional to his pulse rate, said electronic meanshaving means for setting a single desired pulse rate and meansoperatively connected to said setting means and said detecting means forcomparing said desired pulse rate with the detected pulse rate and forproducing a light signal when said detected pulse rate is at saiddesired rate, and timing means for indicating that said desired pulserate [has been maintained at the desired level for an indicated timeperiod.

8. An exercise monitoring system as defined in claim 7, wherein a movingpart thereof includes means for stopping said timing means after asettable elapsed time.

1. An exercise control system adapted for use with means for a person toexercise on, comprising, means for detecting his actual pulse, means forconverting the detected pulse rate to a first electrical signalproportional to said detected pulse rate, means for setting andproducing a reference electrical signal proportional to a single desiredpulse rate, and means for comparing said first electrical signal to saidreference signal and for indicating deviation on either the low side orthe high side of said desired pulse rate, said comparing and indicatingmeans having no connection to said exercising means.
 2. An exercisecontrol system as defined in claim 1 wherein said converting meansproduces a pulsating signal and includes wave forming and shaping meansconnected to the output of said detecting means for forming a pulsatingsquare wave whose repetition rate is proportional to the detected pulserate and means for converting said square wave to said electricalsignal, said signal comprising, a d.c. voltage proportional to saiddetected pulse rate, said setting means being adapted to produce areference signal comprising a preset reference voltage, said means toindicate deviation including two lamps operatively connected to saidcomparing means for providing respective light signals proportional tothe actual pulse rate, when said d.c. voltage is lower than saidreference voltage, and when it is higher than said reference voltage. 3.An exercise control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said indicatingmeans includes a third lamp adapted to produce a light signal when saidd.c. voltage matches said reference voltage.
 4. The exercise controlsystem as defined in claim 2 in further combination with timing meansoperatively connected to said comparing and indicating means foractuation thereby when said d.c. voltage matches said reference voltage,including means for indicating the termination of a preselected timeperiod during which said d.c. voltage matches said reference voltage. 5.An exercise control system of the character described including, anelectronic transducer to detect a person''s pulse rate while exercisingand to provide a signal proportional to the pulse rate, said transducercomprising electrode means to sense a person''s heart beat, wave formingmeans to convert the pulse so detected into a repetitive wave whoserepetition rate is determined by the frequency of said pulses, and meansto convert said repetitive wave into a variable d.c. voltage signal thelevel of which is proportional to said repetition rate, said systemfurther including comparing means, operatively connected to said meansto convert, for comparing said variable d.c. voltage with apredetermined voltage value, and three switch means including''''desired,'''' ''''high,'''' and ''''low'''' circuits whichrespectively control ''''desired,'''' ''''high,'''' and ''''low''''indicators, said switch means being operatively connected to saidcomparing means for selective actuation in response to said comparingmeans in accordance with whether a said voltage signal is above, belowor equal to said predetermined voltage value.
 6. The exercise controlsystem in claim 5 wherein said wave forming means includes a Schmitttrigger followed by a bystable multivibrator, and said switch meansincludes three switch SCR''s and a fourth SCR operatively connected withsaid first three which supplies them with pulsating direct voltage toautomatically extinguish any SCR after it is on, said comparing meansincluding means for actuating a particular one of said switch SCR''sdepending on the ratios of the variable d.c. voltage produced by saidmeans to convert to said predetermined voltage value.
 7. An exercisemonitoring system comprising, an exercising machine on which a personcan exercise at varying levels of exertion, means to detect his pulserate, and electronic means to convert his pulse rate into light signalsproportional to his pulse rate, said electronic means having means forsetting a single desired pulse rate and means operatively connected tosaid setting means and said detecting means for comparing said desiredpulse rate with the detected pulse rate and for producing a light signalwhen said detected pulse rate is at said desired rate, and timing meansfor indicating that said desired pulse rate has been maintained at thedesired level for an indicated time period.
 8. An exercise monitoringsystem as defined in claim 7, wherein a moving part thereof includesmeans for stopping said timing means after a settable elapsed time.